Food-protective apparatus for use in cooking and food-serving environments

ABSTRACT

Related embodiments of self-supporting permanently-formed, or foldable and quick-setup, food-protective apparatus are disclosed, each for safely storing and protecting, serving and/or transporting food-products in or to one or more, food-preparation or food-serving settings. The apparatus include one or more openable and closeable openings or apertures each having a positionable door or covering that can quickly and easily be moved to an opened or closed position. The apparatus may optionally incorporate see-through ventilative screened or meshed material and may be made of a rigid or flexible insulative material. The Enclosure embodiments also include stackable and/or side-by-side quick alignment elements, optional one or more trays or shelves having one or more receptacles for retaining a heating or chilling material, or having receptacles for one or more garnishes, herbs, spices, enclosures having various shapes, and the option to make a barbeque with one or more integrally-incorporated food-protective enclosures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Portions of the subject matter of this non-provisional application rely on provisional application 60/964,034 filed on Aug. 9, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of food-related accessories or aids employable during the preparation, cooking and serving of food items in outdoor (or indoor) environments. More particularly, the invention pertains to a food-protective apparatus or enclosure, which is employable before, during and after one or more food items storable within and protected by the device have been prepared and/or cooked for consumption by others, for example, at a barbeque, picnic or cookout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people who have prepared and/or partaken of a meal outdoors have experienced the annoyance of flying or crawling insects contaminating, or other airborne matter or debris falling or blowing into their food as it is being prepared or into food that has already been prepared before it is served to others. It is not uncommon in outdoor cooking or food-serving environments to see one or more individuals attempting to scare off insects by physically waving their arms about, or having to keep a flyswatter close at hand. Other approaches include attempting to use one or more types of insecticides, bug sprays or candle or torch-like insect repellants to keep insects at bay in outdoor food preparation or food-serving areas. Insects flying around, landing on or flying into one's food is not only unsightly, it can also be quite unsanitary or in some cases can even be a cause of illnesses or disease.

One approach that has been employed to reduce such problems has been the use of a screened food cover, which is placed over one or more food-items to protect them. However, this approach has been less than ideal in that such covers tend to expose the food from all sides once the cover is lifted. Moreover, if the food being protected by a conventional screen-cover is situated closely to numerous other food items, for example, on the top of a full picnic or buffet table, free space can be at a premium and as a result there can often be little or no available space in which the screen-cover can be rested or put aside while one is attempting to acquire a serving of food. In such instances, one must attempt a single-handed approach to acquiring a food serving, i.e., while holding the screen-cover up with one hand they only have one hand to support a dish or plate (and no remaining hand with which to acquire a serving of food).

In contrast, the present invention provides a food protective device wherein a positionable member, such as a door, hatch, lid or cover located on a side of the apparatus, can be positioned by a single hand of a user, to an opened or closed state, and wherein only one side of the protected food is exposed to the outdoor environment while the member is opening, in an opened state, or is closing. The positionable member can be hinged at one end to provide for a rotational positioning about the hinge (e.g., in a door-like manner), or can alternatively be made slideably positionable, for example, wherein opposite sides of the member are adapted to slide in channels, slots, or grooves, or on flanges, and the like. In either case, preferably the member includes a member positioning device such as one or more of the following: hardware or electro-mechanical apparatus which facilitates a positioning of the member to an opened state, or a closed state, or both. Such hardware can optionally include an apparatus or device having a push and release mechanism (released in response to a pushing in from a finger) which automatically opens the hinged member, or apparatus which positions a mostly-opened or partially-opened door to a fully opened state, or an apparatus or device which positions a mostly-closed or partially-closed door to a fully closed state, or both. Additionally or alternatively, self-positioning or self-actuating apparatus of the present invention can include hardware or electro-mechanical apparatus which facilitate a positioning of the member to a closed state after being opened for a predetermined or limited period of time (and optionally including one or more sensing elements or components equipped to sense and to cease a positioning of the member when a hand has been placed in the path of the member).

Another shortcoming of the status quo screen-covers is that they have no bottom on which one or more food-items, sauces, marinades, spices or food-preparation items may be transported while a screen-cover is in place. In contrast, the present apparatus provides a self-contained food-protective device having a bottom (and optionally one or more shelves) made of a material having sufficient strength to support food-items, sauces or food-preparation items, and the like, and thus provides a new portability to such protected items. To further facilitate transportability, the present apparatus can also include one or more handles or grips whereby a user can easily and positively grasp the apparatus to move it from one place to another.

Another area of concern in outdoor food preparation and food-cooking environments is the contamination of food due to the food not having been kept fresh during the food preparation process. For example, chicken is a very popular type of food to prepare in outdoor cooking environments, nonetheless, chicken is quite prone to contamination from bacteria after only a short exposure to air temperatures typical of those environments. However, the aforementioned conventional approaches do not provide for the incorporation of one or more apparatus to assist in sufficiently cooling food while it is waiting to be cooked outdoors. It is an object of the present invention to provide the option of incorporating one or more cooling apparatus, elements, components or devices, for the purpose of keeping food that is about to be cooked at a more ideal, cooler or colder temperature.

Similarly, the aforementioned screen-covers do not provide for an incorporation of one or more heating apparatus to assist in keeping food warm that has already been cooked. Consequently, such food often not only becomes cooler faster than is desired, it also becomes susceptible to contamination due to a cooling off too soon. It is another object of the present invention to provide the option of incorporating one or more heating apparatus, elements, components or devices for the purpose of keeping food that has been cooked at a more ideal, warmer or hotter temperature.

Additionally, the aforementioned screen-covers typically have not been easily cleanable, whereas in one or more of the embodiments of the present apparatus, it can be easily and thoroughly washed, or readily disassembled for easy washing (optionally including being made of dishwasher safe or tolerant material). Accordingly, an object of the present apparatus is to provide an improved approach to the sanitizing of food-serving devices.

The status quo approaches have not provided food-protective enclosures having self-aligning elements which facilitate quick alignment when being placed adjacent, side-by-side and/or when stacked, for example, for use in a buffet line, at a banquet, a catered meal, a concession (or other food distributing area), a special event or occasion, and so on. Accordingly, it would be beneficial, and is an object of an aspect of the present invention, to provide, self-aligning food-protective enclosures having enclosure-side interfitting elements (e.g., located on sides, top and bottom) with each element sized and shaped to align with respective interfitting elements of a horizontally-adjacent and/or vertically-adjacent enclosure-side of a same or similar self-aligning food-protective enclosure, wherein the interfitting elements facilitate quick and easy alignment to one enclosure to another in a side-by-side and/or stackable arrangement. For example, a plurality of the enclosures can easily and quickly be aligned into a series, array or matrix of enclosures.

In camping, picnic, beach and recreational settings, airborne or wind-blown matter and crawling or flying insects are also frequently encountered by users in cooking or food preparation settings of such sites. As such trips can often require numerous other equipment needed by a user, space in a vehicle used to transport such gear can often be at a premium. Similarly, space-saving concerns can also be or become a priority to users in the storing of such equipment between recreational trips. Additionally, the shipping of bulkier three-dimensional items adds to their packaging and shipping costs, whereas providing the option to produce the same or a similar item in a foldable or collapsible configuration can assist in significantly reducing the packaging and shipping costs. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide foldable or collapsible food-protective enclosures that can quickly and easily be set up into a self-supporting, fully-enclosed food-protective enclosure with one or more openable and closeable enclosure openings.

Thus, conventional approaches and the status quo screen-covers have perpetuated a number of shortcomings, and an improved, more efficient and more sanitary/protective approach is needed. It is an object of the present apparatus to overcome these deficiencies and to thereby provide significantly improved alternatives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a food-protective apparatus, employable before, during or after one or more food items storable within and protected by the device have been prepared and/or cooked in an outdoor setting, for example, at a barbeque, on one's patio, at a picnic, a buffet line, a campsite, or a cookout, and the like. The food-protective apparatus employable for barbeques is referred to by its inventors as BBQ Helper™ or Barbeque Helper™.

The food-protective apparatus is preferably a multi-sided device, or can alternatively be made having other shapes, including but not limited to a round, curved, cylindrical, cubed, domed or arced shape, and is portable or transportable, preferably having a bottom which has a flat upper surface on which one or more outdoor-cooking related items or food-items can be located while the apparatus is transported, positioned or is located at a desired location. In each case, a side, or one or more portions of a side, of the apparatus is equipped to be opened and closed by a user in a manner wherein one or more food items (or any of the aforementioned items) within the apparatus can be accessed with minimal exposure to insects, flying debris or the surrounding environment. In one embodiment, a side, or one or more portions of a side, of the apparatus can be rotated about a hinge to provide a minimized opening through which one or more food items or aforementioned items are stored or retrieved. In another embodiment, a side, or one or more portions of a side, of the apparatus, is slideably positionable to provide a minimized opening through which one or more food items or aforementioned items are stored or retrieved. In another embodiment, a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible side, or one or more portions of a side of the apparatus is equipped with one or more fasteners such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, hooks, seals, ties, hook-and-loop (or Velcro®) fasteners, and the like, which can be selectively opened or re-attached by a user to provide a minimized opening. In another embodiment, a side, or portion of a side, of the apparatus is equipped with one or more flaps made of a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material which can be selectively opened and closed (or re-attached to a portion of the apparatus) by a user to provide a minimized opening through which one or more food items or aforementioned items are stored or retrieved.

The food-protective apparatus is comprised of any one or more materials providing sufficient structural strength to safely transport and protect any one or more of the aforementioned items. Such materials can include any one or more of the following: plastic material, synthetic material, wood material, metal material, alloy material, insulative material, and the like. The apparatus can be comprised of one or more materials that are colored, translucent, transparent, opaque, patterned, or having the appearance of wood or another common material, or having photographic content, or content including one or more advertisements, promotion, cross-promotions, brands, company names, names of one or more personalities or celebrities, and the like.

The food-protective apparatus preferably also includes one or more sides incorporating, or integrally formed with, a meshed, screened, perforated or apertured material, having a multitude of apertures or numerous openings, wherein the size of the openings are of a size small enough to prevent the passage of small flying or crawling insects. Alternatively, the one or more sides of the food-protective apparatus can be made with any one or more of the aforementioned material(s). For example, one or more sides of the apparatus can be comprised of a transparent (or translucent) material, which facilitates an easy viewing of any protected contents within the apparatus. In which case, the apparatus preferably includes one or more vents to limit steam or condensation from obscuring a view of the apparatus-protected contents through the transparent material.

As previously described, the present food-protective apparatus provides a positionable member, such as a door, hatch, lid or covering located on a side of the apparatus, which can be positioned by one or both hands of a user, to an opened or closed state. The member can be hinged to provide for a rotational positioning about the hinge (e.g., in a door-like manner), or can alternatively be made slideably positionable, adapted to slide in channels, slots, or grooves, or on flanges, and the like. Preferably the hinged-member variant includes one or more handles, knobs or grips to facilitate a user positioning of the member with one or both hands. The member-hinge can be mounted on the food-protective apparatus horizontally to provide an opening and closing of the member in a generally vertical axis, or the hinge can be mounted vertically to provide an opening and closing of the member in a generally horizontal axis.

Optionally, the present food-protective apparatus can be made having no bottom (or a removable/re-attachable bottom), so as to be placed over one or more food-items e.g., on a table-top in a screen-cover like manner, albeit with any of the aforementioned positionable members located on as little as one side of the apparatus, to facilitate a reduced exposure of the food or apparatus-protected items to only the side of the apparatus from which the member is positioned, in contrast to a 360 degree exposure of a lifted conventional screen-cover.

Preferably the food-protective apparatus also provides one or more fixed, stationary, positionable or removable shelves upon which one or more food-items, sauces, marinades, spices, plates, trays, and bowls or food-preparation items may be transported. Alternatively, one or more shelves can be further equipped with one or more recessed areas in which one or more food-items, sauces, marinades, bottles, spices, spice racks, herbs or food-preparation items or utensils and the like can be transported and/or retained until needed. Additionally or alternatively a shelf may also include one or more grooves and an optional drain via which unwanted drippings or juices can be channeled, drained and collected as needed. Optionally a shelf can also serve as a cutting board or food-preparation surface.

In another embodiment of the food-protective apparatus one or more shelves may incorporate, or be adjoined with, one or more of the aforementioned heating or cooling elements or components. For example, a shelf (such as a lower shelf) can be equipped with or incorporate a receptacle or storage container in which one or more refrigerated or frozen substances can be contained, such that food placed proximate to the cold material will be chilled, serving to facilitate a preserving of food or uncooked food in outdoor temperatures. Such a container can also incorporate a volume for containing both the one or more refrigerated or frozen substances and one or more food items and can optionally include a removable lid or seal which can be opened to provide access to the chilled food as needed.

Similarly, a shelf (such as an upper shelf) can be equipped with or incorporate a receptacle or storage volume in which one or more heated substance can be contained such as hot water, a flammable substance, or cooking fuel (e.g., Sterno®), such that food placed above or in proximity with the hot material can be heated and stay heated.

In more involved embodiments of the food-protective apparatus one or more heating and/or cooling elements or components can be incorporated into one or more shelf or interior areas of the food-protective apparatus. The heating element(s) can be electrical, for example, operating in the manner of an electrical burner, a hot plate, or warmer plate, preferably also including means for adjusting the heating temperature to one or more desired levels. Similarly, the one or more cooling elements or components of the food-protective apparatus can be electrically operated and can include components similar to those incorporated into conventional refrigeration or electrical-cooling apparatus, preferably also including means for adjusting the cooling temperature to one or more desired levels.

A plurality of the food-protective apparatus can be aligned side-by-side and/or made stackable on top of one another so that the apparatus can easily and quickly be arranged in a series, an array or a matrix, for example, for use in a buffet line, at a banquet, at a catered meal, a concession (or other food distributing area), or at a special event or occasion. Such a series, array or matrix can be arranged in any one or more of the following ways: in a food preparation area (professional or novice); on a food transporting or catering vehicle; located at, or delivered to, a food-serving location (indoors or outdoors). When a number of the apparatus are employed, preferably each of the apparatus includes a label pocket or label area which is in plain sight to facilitate users quickly obtaining one or more types of food they desire. Thus any one or more in a variety of food items can quickly be filled, organized, stored, labeled, heated or cooled as needed, transported, and quickly and easily be setup at a desired location.

In another embodiment of the food-protective apparatus, one or more of the apparatus can be made integral with, or can be incorporated into a barbeque. For example, the front of one of the food-protective apparatus can be located next to the front of the lid or cover of a barbeque (that opens and closes during the food-cooking operation of the barbeque). Thus, the protective lid or door of the food-protective apparatus can be opened and closed to the extent needed during the food-cooking process, adjacent to or in close proximity with the cooking food and any one or more of the aforementioned benefits and advantages of the apparatus are always within easy reach of the cook or chef employing the barbeque.

Related embodiments of self-supporting permanently-formed, or foldable and quick-setup, food-protective apparatus are also disclosed in detail in the following section. The embodiments provide for safely storing and protecting, serving and/or transporting food-products in or to one or more, food-preparation or food-serving settings. The apparatus include one or more openable and closeable openings or apertures each having a positionable door or covering that can quickly and easily be moved to and retained in an opened or closed position. The apparatus may optionally incorporate see-through ventilative screened or meshed material which may be made of a rigid or flexible insulative material. The enclosure embodiments also include stackable and/or side-by-side quick alignment elements, optional one or more trays or shelves having one or more receptacles for retaining a non-ambient temperature, heating or chilling material, or trays having receptacles for one or more garnishes, herbs, spices, and the like, as well as raw or cooked food-product. The enclosures can also be made having various shapes, including the option to make a barbeque with one or more integrally-incorporated food-protective enclosures, and to make the combination barbeque and one or more food-protective enclosures out of the same or similar material.

It is noted that although a preferred embodiment of the present food-protective apparatus comprises a shape having six sides, that other shapes are also possible and can be formed, fabricated or otherwise manufactured out of any one or more of the aforementioned materials. For example, from a side profile perspective the food-protective apparatus could be made having a half-circular or semi-circular cross-section shape (e.g., shaped like a small Quonset Hut™) wherein the door also has a semi-circular cross-section (e.g., a portion of a cylinder) having opposite ends that are slideably positionable within similarly arced tracks or channels located on inward-facing opposite sides of the apparatus. Accordingly, the door of the apparatus can be raised or lowered by simply positioning the door (or a handle of the door) in the vertical axis. Alternatively, the food-protective apparatus can be cylindrically shaped, or domelike, having a flat bottom (or no bottom as previously mentioned), and in each case have a door adapted to the shape of the apparatus that opens in a hinged or sliding manner. Thus, the present invention provides for a fabricating, forming or manufacturing of food-protective apparatus having a variety of shapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional depiction of a six-sided embodiment of a food-protective apparatus illustrating a front side of the apparatus having a hinged member or door rotated about the hinge to an upward position.

FIGS. 2 through 7 are a series of two-dimensional views of a six-sided embodiment of the food-protective apparatus, wherein FIG. 2 depicts a front view, FIG. 3 a rear view, FIG. 4 a right side view, FIG. 5 a left side view, FIG. 6 a top view, and FIG. 7 a bottom view. FIG. 2 depicts a screen or mesh material within the perimeter of a front-side viewing area of the food-protective apparatus, and FIG. 3 depicts a transparent material within the perimeter of a rear-side viewing area of the food-protective apparatus.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are three-dimensional views of a five-sided embodiment of the food-protective apparatus similar to the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 but having no bottom or lowest side so that the apparatus can be lowered around or raised up from one or more food items. FIG. 8 depicts the hinged member in a lowered/closed position and FIG. 9 depicts the hinged member in a raised/opened position.

FIGS. 10 through 12 are two-dimensional front views of a food-protective apparatus with a hinged member or door raised to an opened position and an interior volume of the apparatus equipped with shelves suitable for supporting one or more food items, food preparation-related items, utensils, plates, trays, bowls, and the like. In FIG. 11 each shelf is depicted having an adjacent receptacle or container into which one or more food items, food preparation-related items, cooling or heating material or apparatus can be contained. In FIG. 12 a lower shelf is depicted having a plurality of containers or receptacles, and an optional drawer with an optional drawer handle or grip.

FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional view of the lower shelf depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a two-dimensional front view of a food-protective apparatus depicted having legs for supporting the apparatus at a desired height.

FIG. 15 is a two-dimensional front view of a series of food-protective apparatus aligned side-by-side to one another as might be used in a food-preparation area or food-serving area, or a buffet line, or on a food-serving table or surface.

FIG. 16 is a two-dimensional front view of an array or matrix of stackable food-protective apparatus aligned side-by-side to one another as might be used in a food-preparation area or food-serving area, or as might be arranged for transport on a vehicle.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are three-dimensional views of an alternatively shaped embodiment of a food-protective apparatus having a semi-circular cross-section, wherein a curved or arced side of the apparatus is depicted in a closed position in FIG. 17 and depicted in an opened position in FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a food-protective apparatus integrally formed, fabricated or manufactured with a barbeque, or positionable onto and removable from an upper area of a barbeque.

FIGS. 20 through 22 are each side view depictions of a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides aligned with, and stacked vertically on top of a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides in three different space-saving configurations, wherein: in FIG. 20 the two plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted in a planar configuration; in FIG. 21 the two plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted with one side folded and rotated inwardly approximately 180 degrees; in FIG. 22 the two plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted with two sides folded and rotated inwardly approximately 180 degrees; each of the figures further depicts a cross-section of an optional carrying case or carton.

FIG. 23 is a three-dimensional view depicting a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides aligned vertically below a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides before either is folded into the shape of a food-protective enclosure portion.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are related three-dimensional views, depicting a quick-setup mode for interfitting a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides with a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides to form a self-supporting, fully-enclosable food-protective enclosure held together by releasably-attachable fasteners.

FIG. 26 is a three-dimensional view similar to FIG. 25 depicting a positionable door in an opened position.

FIG. 27 is a three-dimensional view similar to FIG. 25 depicting a positionable bottom-side in an opened position.

FIG. 28 is a three-dimensional view similar to FIG. 25 depicting openable side apertures of a food-protective enclosure having a positionable covering with one of the coverings shown in an opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts.

In reference to the three-dimensional view of FIG. 1, a six-sided embodiment of a food-protective apparatus 10 is depicted with a front side 14 having a positionable member 24 or door rotatably mounted to an upper edge of the front side, wherein the positionable member 24 is shown having been rotated to an opened position. The six-sided embodiment is depicted having a top side 12, a front side 14, a bottom side 16, a right side 18, a left side 20, and a rear side 22. Each of the six sides are depicted in a series of two-dimensional views in FIGS. 2 through 7, wherein FIG. 2 depicts a front side view, FIG. 3 a rear side view, FIG. 4 a right side view, FIG. 5 a left side view, FIG. 6 a top side view, and FIG. 7 a bottom side view. Preferably one or more sides other than a bottom side have an interior area comprising a screened, meshed, perforated or apertured material having openings or apertures small enough to prevent small flying or crawling insects from entering the food-protective apparatus while also providing ventilation and a viewing area through which one or more food items 26 can be seen. For example, in FIG. 1 each side of the apparatus other than the bottom is depicted having a viewing area perimeter defining an area within which any of the aforementioned screened, meshed, apertured or perforated material can be incorporated or integrally formed, namely: perimeter of front side viewing area 44, perimeter of right side viewing area 48, perimeter of top side viewing area 42, perimeter of left side viewing area 40, and perimeter of rear side viewing area 52 (see also FIG. 2). Alternatively or additionally, the viewing areas of one or more sides of the apparatus can be comprised of a material that is transparent or translucent, for example made of a glass, tempered glass or plastic material and which can also include one or more vents. In each case, one or more food-items and/or food preparation-related items are transportable within the apparatus in a protected, reduced-exposure, ventilated and displayable manner. Preferably, the food-protective apparatus is comprised of a material which for sanitation purposes can be easily cleaned, for example in a dishwasher, kitchen sink or cleaning area. Optionally the apparatus can be manufactured so as to be easily disassembled and reassembled for packaging and shipping, to further facilitate easy cleaning and/or storage (or transport, e.g., for catering, camping or other recreational purposes).

While the positionable member 24 is shown being hinged at an upper edge of the front side 14 of the food-protective apparatus 10 in several of the drawing figures it is noted that other positionable member approaches are also possible. For example, positionable member 24 can be hinged to a side of front side 14 and be opened or closed by a horizontal positioning of the member. Or, positionable member 24 can be slideably mounted so as to be made positionable up or down, or side to side.

Optionally, a plurality of two or more members 24 can be incorporated into one or more sides of the apparatus such that the opening of one of the positionable members further reduces exposure of protected contents to their surrounding environment.

In each case, the one or more positionable members 24 of a food-protective apparatus 10 provide a significantly reduced exposure to the contents protected within the food-protective apparatus, relative to a 360 degree level of exposure typical of conventional food screen covers when lifted up from the contents that they cover. In other words, the present food-protective apparatus limits the exposure of its contents to a single side or a portion of a single side (as its one or more positionable members 24 are in an opened or semi-opened condition).

As previously mentioned, a positionable member 24, whether rotatably mounted or slideably mounted, can further comprise one or more commercially available hardware components, elements or devices (or electro-mechanical apparatus) which facilitate an automated opening and/or closing and/or temporary positioning of the member, and which serves to further reduce unwanted exposure of protected contents.

Thus, because only one side, or a portion of one side needs to be opened (or partially opened) to provide a user with access to items contained within the apparatus, as opposed to the entire removal of a conventional screen-cover causing a 360 degree level of exposure, there is a significantly reduced exposure of items contained in the present food-protective apparatus to insects, debris and other elements in any surrounding food-preparation, cooking and/or food-serving environment.

Optionally any one or more sides of the food-protective apparatus can include a label displaying area or be fitted with a pocket or slotted opening into which one or more labels or cards can be inserted to display information pertaining to the content within the apparatus. For example, a business card-sized card stock (or other material) could be inserted into a pocket or slot integrally formed in or adjoining a portion of a positionable member 24 of a food-protective apparatus 10 or a label having an adhesive or hook-and-loop fastener material on one side can be placed on the member. Thus, content within the food-protective apparatus 10 can be easily identified by any written and/or graphic (or photographic) material which is viewable on the label.

In reference to FIGS. 2 through 6, a food-protective apparatus 10 is depicted preferably having one or more sides which include a framed outer perimeter as seen with positionable member 24 of FIG. 2, a rear side 22 of FIG. 3, a right side 18 FIG. 4, a left side 20 FIG. 5, a top side 12 FIG. 6. Optionally, positionable member 24 can include a framed inner portion 54 as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9. However it is noted that any side of the apparatus can be comprised entirely or in part of any one or more of the aforementioned materials such as plastic, metal, alloy, wood, screened, meshed, apertured, perforated, transparent or translucent material, vented or unvented opaque material, and the like. The screened material can be comprised of a woven wire, metal, textile or plastic material, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, any one or more of the aforementioned materials can be included, incorporated or integrally formed within: perimeter of front side viewing area 44 of FIG. 2, perimeter of rear side viewing area 52 of FIG. 3, perimeter of right side viewing area 48 of FIG. 4, perimeter of left side viewing area 40 of FIG. 5, and perimeter of top side viewing area 42 of FIG. 6.

Optionally, positionable member 24 can include a raised or framed inner portion 54 as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 having a shape and size which facilitates an increased strength and rigidity of the member and apparatus, and an aligning of an inner side of the member within an opening of the front side 14 of the apparatus as the member is being positioned to a closed condition.

Optionally the food-protective apparatus 10 can include a plurality of feet such as foot 50 depicted in FIGS. 2-5 and 7. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom of the food-protective apparatus 10 can be equipped with one or more members having a shape and size which can be aligned with and releasably inserted or engaged into respective receptacles of a top side 12 of an apparatus to facilitate easy alignment and stacking of one or more units on top of one another (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 16).

Optionally, positionable member 24 can include one or more handles, grips or detents such as handle 46 depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15 and 19 which can be easily grasped by or engaged with one or more digits of a user's hand to facilitate positioning the member as desired.

Preferably member 24 can also include hardware connected between the member and the apparatus which retains, or momentarily retains, a positioning of the member made by a user.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are three-dimensional views of a five-sided embodiment of the food-protective apparatus similar to the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 but having no bottom or lowest side so that the apparatus can be lowered around or raised up from one or more food items 26. FIG. 8 depicts the positionable member 24 in a lowered/closed position which provides a food-protective utility and FIG. 9 depicts a positionable member 24 in a raised/opened position. Preferably the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 can also be equipped with one or more handles, grips or recessed areas to facilitate a raising and lowering of the apparatus by a user (not illustrated).

FIGS. 10 through 12 are two-dimensional front views of a food-protective apparatus 10 having a positionable member 24 or door raised to an opened position and an interior volume of the apparatus equipped to accommodate one or more shelves suitable for supporting food items, food preparation-related items, sauces, marinades, spices, herbs, food-related containers or receptacles, utensils, plates, trays, bowls, and the like. IN FIG. 10 a shelf 56 is seen having opposite outer edges each slideably fitted into a shelf channel 58 or slot. Alternatively one or more shelves can be mounted inside the apparatus using any one or more types of commercially available shelving-related hardware. When a plurality of channels, slots or other shelf supports or hardware are provided at different heights a single shelf can be positioned within a food-protective apparatus at a height according to the needs of a user. In FIG. 11 each shelf 56 is depicted having an adjacent receptacle or shelf-container 60 which can retain one or more of the aforementioned items, or a cooling material, a heating material or a cooling apparatus or a heating apparatus. For example, a shelf can have a shelf-container 60 having a size and depth that accommodates ice cubes or one or more ice cube trays, or other previously chilled or refrigerated material, such as dry ice, an ice pack, a bag of ice, or other refrigerated or chilled substance, and the like. Alternatively, the shelf-container 60 can be comprised of electrically operated refrigeration apparatus.

Similarly, a shelf can have a shelf-container 60 having a size a depth that accommodates a previously heated material or hot material such as hot water (or other heated substance). Alternatively, a shelf 56 or shelf-container 60 can comprise one or more electrically operated heating elements or fuel-burning elements or components, such as those used to heat food items in food-serving apparatus commonly employed at banquets or in buffet service lines.

When an embodiment of the food-protective apparatus includes one or more heating and cooling shelf 56 or shelf-container 60, preferably any heating shelf is located in position higher than any cooling shelf and the apparatus is well vented or ventilated so that hot air rising from the heating shelf will not cause a heating of the cooling shelf(s), or conversely, cooled air falling from a cooling shelf will not cause a cooling of a heating self.

In FIG. 12 a multi-container shelf 62 is slideably operative in a food-protective apparatus 10 and is depicted having a plurality of shelf-containers 60 or receptacles into which, any of the aforementioned items can be retained and securely transported. FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional view of the multi-container shelf 62 and a plurality of shelf-containers 60 or receptacles depicted in FIG. 12. Optionally any one or more of the shelf-containers 60 can include a removable or hinged lid. Additionally, the size and shape of any of shelf-containers 60 or receptacles can be diverse, and any shelf can include one or more channels or grooves for channeling liquids, juices and the like to one or more shelf-containers 60 or receptacles. Optionally any of the embodiments of the food-protective apparatus 10 can include one or more drawers 68 and one or more optional drawer handles 70 or grips.

FIG. 14 is a two-dimensional front view of a food-protective apparatus 10 depicted having legs 54 for supporting the apparatus at a desired height. The legs can be a snug-fit (e.g., tube in aperture or socket), or fixed permanently to the apparatus, or can be removably attachable legs fastened to the apparatus by any one or more in a variety of commercially available fastening devices. Alternatively, food-protective apparatus 10 can be supported at a desired height by a single pedestal, column, leg, stand or table. Optionally a food-protective apparatus 10 can also include one or more hooks or pegs 74 for hanging utensils, or food-preparation apparatus, spice racks (or spices), bags, trash bags, or hand towels, and the like.

FIG. 15 is a two-dimensional front view of a series 80 of (three) food-protective apparatus 10 aligned side-by-side to one another as might be used in a food-preparation area or food-serving area, or a buffet line, or on a food-serving table or surface 72.

FIG. 16 is a two-dimensional front view of an array or matrix 82 of stackable food-protective apparatus 10 aligned side-by-side to one another as might be used in a food-preparation area or food-serving area, or as might be arranged on a food-serving table or surface 72 or for transport on a vehicle or catering truck.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are three-dimensional views of an alternatively shaped embodiment of a food-protective apparatus 10 having a right side 18 and a left side 20 in the shape of a semi-circular cross-section, wherein a curved or arced positionable member 24 of the apparatus is depicted in a closed position in FIG. 17 and depicted in an opened position in FIG. 18. Optionally, member 24 can be fitted with one or more handles, grips or recessed areas as previously described, or can alternatively be equipped with a slider-knob 36 adjoining an edge of the member, wherein the slider-knob is slideably operative and positionable by a user within a slider-knob slot 38 to position member 24 as desired.

FIG. 19 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a food-protective apparatus 10 formed, fabricated or manufactured integrally with a barbeque, or is made separately and is positionable onto and removable from an upper area of a barbeque 76 or an area adjacent to barbeque cover 78. Preferably the food-protective apparatus 10 is designed and made having an appearance which is coordinated, similar or complementary to that of the barbeque on which it is integrated or positioned.

In reference to FIGS. 20 through 22, side views of a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 aligned with, and stacked vertically on top of a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 are depicted in three different space-saving configurations. In FIG. 20 the two pluralities of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted in a planar configuration. In FIG. 21 the two plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted with one side folded about a hinge 34 and rotated inwardly approximately 180 degrees; in FIG. 22 the two plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are each depicted with two sides folded about hinges 34 and rotated inwardly approximately 180 degrees; each of the figures further depicts a cross-section of an optional enclosure casing 92, carrying case or carton. It is noted that hinges 34 can be comprised of one or more flexible material which is preferably durable, or can be configured with, or in a similar manner to, one or more types of common or commercially-available types of hardware hinges. Alternatively, respective hinge portions made be integrally formed into any one or more hinges of a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 and/or a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 including being made of the same or a similar material as the enclosure-sides.

In FIG. 23 a three-dimensional depiction of a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 is aligned vertically below a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90, before either is folded into the shape of a food-protective enclosure portion. The four arrows pointing downward at each corner of the hinged enclosure-sides 90 indicate how sides of a planar arrangement are folded downward to approximate the shape of the second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 depicted in FIG. 24, namely, rear side 22 and positionable member 24 being folded downward. Similarly, the four arrows pointing upward at each corner of the hinged enclosure-sides 88 indicate how sides of a planar arrangement are folded upward to approximate the shape of the first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 depicted in FIG. 24, namely, right side 18 and left side 204 being folded upward. Thus, the related three-dimensional views of FIGS. 24 and 25 depict a quick-setup mode for interfitting a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 with a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 to form a self-supporting, fully-enclosable food-protective enclosure held together by releasably-attachable fasteners. Although no fasteners are depicted in the drawings pertaining to foldable food-protective enclosures (FIGS. 20-28), it is noted that upon aligning a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 with a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 any one or more of a variety of common, commercially-available fasteners or releasable-attaching means can be employed to securely retain a foldable food-protective enclosure in a self-supporting manner. For example, such fasteners or releasable-attaching means can include, but are not limited to, securing a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 with a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 with one or more: snaps, locks, clips, slide-bolts, screws, thumb-screw, lock-pins, straps, straps with snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop material, straps with hook-and-loop material, zippers, ties, ribbons, retainers, belts, buckles, buttons, pegs, male-female friction-fit couplings, tab-in-slot couplings, and so on. Alternatively, other interfitting fastening means are employable to retain a foldable food-protective enclosure in a self-supporting manner. For example, one or more outer edges of a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88 can include one or more ribs, nubs or tabs each sized and shaped to be slideably positioned or friction-fitted into respective receiving slots, channels or C-channels (and the like) of a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 in a releasably attachable manner.

With respect to FIG. 24, a second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90 is shown by four vertical dashed-lines to be aligned with a first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88. In FIG. 24, a hinged connection is shown between positionable member 24 and top side 12, and rear side 22 and top side 12 of the second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 90. Similarly, a hinged connection is shown between right side 18 and bottom 16, and left 20 and bottom 16 of the first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides 88. In FIG. 25 the two folded food-protective enclosure portions are shown assembled together into a self-supporting food-protective enclosure. FIG. 26 is a three-dimensional view similar to FIG. 25 depicting a positionable door 24 having been moved into an opened position. FIG. 27 is a three-dimensional view similar to FIG. 25 depicting a positionable bottom 16 having been moved to an opened position. Optionally the food-protective enclosure can include one or more releasable attachment means, such as one or more among the types previously mentioned to retain the bottom generally adjacent to another side of the enclosure which converts the enclosure into a hood, lid or cover that can be place over the top of one or more food-products in a protective manner. To facilitate operation of this hood-like embodiment one or more lifting or recessed handles 96 can be added to or integrally formed into the enclosure.

In reference to FIG. 28 a three-dimensional view of a food-protective enclosure is depicted similar to FIG. 25 wherein one or more openable side apertures of a food-protective enclosure having a positionable opening-cover 98 with one of the coverings shown in an opened position. Preferably the opening-cover material is hinged, but can alternatively have one or more covering edges comprising a zipper wherein when all but one side of the covering is unzipped the covering side remaining zipped preferably functions like a hinged side. When all sides of a zippered opening-cover are unzipped the cover is entirely removable and may be used as a washable plate or tray holder for example under a table serving or food dish.

Additionally the covering material may be rigid or flexible. In the latter case, the covering material can be employed as a positionable and securable flap, and can selectively be rolled up and held in place by suitable releasable attaching means (such as a looped material or attachable strap, by snaps, or a hook-and-loop material, or any one or more of the aforementioned types of fasteners). It is also noted that the opening-cover 98 material can be made out of one or more insulative materials or material(s) having insulative properties which facilitate keeping food-product stored within the food-protective enclosure at a desired temperature.

It is also noted that one or more other components of the food-protective enclosure, or the entire food-protective enclosure, can be made out of one or more insulative materials or material(s) having insulative properties which facilitate keeping food-product stored within the food-protective enclosure at a desired temperature.

Additionally, it is noted that while one or more opening-covers 98 of a food-protective enclosure can be positioned or removed, preferably the enclosure has a screened, netted, meshed or ventilating material, or other transparent, translucent material that serves as a food-protective barrier on sides or openings of the enclosure configured for removal of an opening-cover. It is also noted that it can be advantageous for cleaning purposes to be able to remove washable components of the enclosure and any of the aforementioned fastening means can be employed to provide selective removal of one or more opening-cover 98, screened, netted or meshed material, enclosure-sides or doors, and so on.

Thus a self-supporting food-protective enclosure having a plurality of permanently or temporarily adjoinable enclosure-sides is provided. In a foldable embodiment, a first plurality of enclosure-sides are each adjoined to another side of the enclosure-sides by one or more hinges, and a second plurality of enclosure-sides are each adjoined to another side of the enclosure-sides by one or more hinges. In a quick-setup or installation mode of the food-protective enclosure, the hinged first and second plurality of enclosure-sides are each configurable into a multi-sided enclosure-shaped portion which, when combined and fastened to one another by the one or more releasably-attachable fasteners, form a fully-enclosed multi-sided food-protective enclosure having one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings; and, in a foldable mode of the food-protective enclosure, the first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides and the second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are separately foldable about their respective hinges into a configuration which minimizes the volume of the vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure for economical shipping, easy transporting or convenient storage. As depicted in FIGS. 20 through 22 and FIGS. 29 a through 29 c a food-protective enclosure can be configured to minimize the volume of the multi-sided food-protective enclosure for example by one or more sides of the first plurality of enclosure-sides 88 being folded generally adjacent and parallel to at least one side of the same group of sides, and by one or more sides of the second plurality of enclosure-sides 90 being folded generally adjacent and parallel to at least one side of the same group of sides. Wherein, the folded state minimizes the size of the multi-sided food-protective enclosure for economical shipping, easy transporting or convenient storage preferably within an enclosure casing, bag or package sized and shaped to receive and secure multi-sided food-protective enclosure.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments are possible. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. For example, different types of electrical heating or cooling components may be used within the invention. Additionally, one or more shelves may be included having receptacles or containers that can contain or retain food-items, food-preparation related items or insulative material, heating or cooling related contents. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of its equivalents and subsequently submitted claims. 

1. A food-protective enclosure, with one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings, for use in food-serving settings, comprising: a plurality of adjoining enclosure-sides made of a durable material having sufficient rigidity, when adjoined together, to provide a self-supporting food-protective enclosure having one or more interior volumes for retaining and protecting food-product; at least one of the sides further comprising a ventilating material having a multiplicity of apertures each sized and shaped, to restrict permeation of airborne or windblown matter, and to inhibit entry of crawling or flying insects; an enclosure bottom-side adjoined with one or more lower portions of the enclosure to form a substantially contiguous bottom-side of the enclosure to provide a fully-enclosed food-protective enclosure; and at least one of the enclosure-sides further comprising a door sized and shaped to cover said one or more quickly openable and closeable openings.
 2. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more quickly openable and closeable openings comprises a hinged door positionable between an opened-enclosure and closed-enclosure position.
 3. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more quickly openable and closeable openings comprises a slideable door positionable between an opened-enclosure and closed-enclosure position; and, opposite sides of said vented food-protective enclosure being configured to slideably engage opposite side edges of the slideable door.
 4. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more quickly openable and closeable openings comprises a positionable door and means for retaining the door in one or more user-desired opened positions for a user-desired period of time.
 5. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of adjoining enclosure sides has a curved or arced cross-section, and one or more quickly openable and closeable openings of the adjoining enclosure side includes a user-positionable door, wherein, the adjoining enclosure side and the user-positionable door each have a curved or arced cross-section similar to the curved enclosure side.
 6. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein said ventilating material is comprised of a screened or meshed material.
 7. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising said enclosure bottom-side having one or more releasably-attachable fasteners for selectively (a.) adjoining the bottom-side with one or more lower portions of the enclosure to provide a fully-enclosed food-protective enclosure or (b.) removing the bottom-side from one or more lower portions of the enclosure to provide a open-bottomed food-protective enclosure which can be placed in, or lifted from, a resting position enveloping and protectively covering one or more food-products on a food-supporting or food-serving surface.
 8. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, having one or more enclosure-sides made of one or more materials having insulative properties.
 9. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, further comprising one or more of the food-protective enclosures being integrally formed with a barbeque.
 10. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 9, wherein the exterior of the barbeque and the one or more of the food-protective enclosures are made of the same or similar type of material.
 11. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of adjoining enclosure-sides comprise: a first plurality of enclosure-sides each adjoined to another side of the enclosure-sides by one or more hinges; a second plurality of enclosure-sides each adjoined to another side of the enclosure-sides by one or more hinges; and the vented food-protective enclosure further comprises one or more releasably-attachable fasteners for selectively adjoining the first plurality of enclosure-sides to the second plurality of enclosure-sides; wherein, in a quick-setup or installation mode of the food-protective enclosure, the hinged first and second plurality of enclosure-sides are each configurable into a multi-sided enclosure-shaped portion which, when combined and fastened to one another by the one or more releasably-attachable fasteners, form a fully-enclosed multi-sided food-protective enclosure having one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings; and, in a foldable mode of the food-protective enclosure, the first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides and the second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are separately foldable about their respective hinges into a configuration which minimizes the volume of the vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure for economical shipping, easy transporting or convenient storage.
 12. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 11, wherein the configuration which minimizes the volume of the vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure includes (a.) one or more sides of the first plurality of enclosure-sides folded generally adjacent and parallel to at least one side of the same group of sides, and (b.) one or more sides of the second plurality of enclosure-sides folded generally adjacent and parallel to at least one side of the same group of sides.
 13. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of adjoinable enclosure-sides includes a hinged bottom-side retainable by one or more releasably-attachable fasteners, to selectively (a.) adjoin the bottom-side to one or more lower portions of the enclosure to form a fully-enclosed food-protective enclosure, or (b.) adjoin the hinged bottom-side when rotated generally adjacent and parallel to at least one vertically-orientated side of the food-protective enclosure to form an opened-bottom food-protective enclosure, which can be placed in, or lifted from, a resting position enveloping and protectively covering one or more food-products on a food-supporting or food-serving surface.
 14. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 13 further comprising a carrying case sized and shaped to securely retain the first and second plurality of enclosure-sides when each are in a folded state for easy transporting and convenient storage.
 15. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 1 adapted to slideably receive one or more trays, each of the one or more trays having a receptacle for retaining a non-ambient temperature material.
 16. A quick-setup and foldable vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure for use in food-serving settings, having one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings, the enclosure comprising: a first foldable plurality of enclosure-sides each adjoined to another enclosure-side by one or more hinges; a second foldable plurality of enclosure-sides each adjoined to another enclosure-side by one or more hinges; one or more releasably-attachable fasteners for selectively adjoining the first foldable plurality of enclosure-sides to the second foldable plurality of enclosure-sides; at least one of the foldable plurality of enclosure-sides having one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings; wherein, in a food-protective enclosure quick-setup or installation mode, the hinged first and second foldable plurality of enclosure-sides are each configurable into a plural-sided enclosure-shaped portion, which, when combined and fastened to one another by the one or more releasably-attachable fasteners form a fully-enclosed multi-sided food-protective enclosure having the one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings; and, in a food-protective enclosure foldable mode, the first plurality of hinged enclosure-sides and the second plurality of hinged enclosure-sides are separately foldable about one or more of their respective hinges into a folded state with sides folded around a hinge being generally adjacent and parallel to one another; whereby, the folded state minimizes the size of the vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure for economical shipping, transporting or convenient storage.
 17. The quick-setup and foldable vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure of claim 16, wherein one or more of the hinges are comprised of a flexible material.
 18. The quick-setup and foldable vented multi-sided food-protective enclosure of claim 16, wherein one or more opening-covers are comprised of a flexible material.
 19. The vented food-protective enclosure of claim 16, wherein one or more enclosure-sides are made of one or more materials having insulative properties.
 20. A vented food-protective enclosure, with one or more quickly openable and closeable enclosure-side openings, for use in food-serving settings, comprising: a plurality of adjoinable enclosure-sides made of a durable material having sufficient rigidity, when adjoined together, to provide a self-supporting food-protective enclosure having one or more interior volumes for retaining and protecting food-product; at least one of the sides further comprising a ventilating material having a multiplicity of apertures each sized and shaped, to (a.) provide viewing, through the ventilating material, of one or more food products when retained within said food-protective enclosure, to (b.) restrict permeation of airborne or windblown matter, and to (c.) inhibit entry of crawling or flying insects; an enclosure bottom-side adjoinable with one or more lower portions of the enclosure to form a substantially contiguous bottom-side of the enclosure to provide a fully-enclosed food-protective enclosure; and at least one of the adjoinable enclosure-sides further comprising a door sized and shaped to cover said one or more quickly openable and closeable openings. 